Conservation Scholarships
CDI is partnering with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) to foster the higher education endeavors of Iowa students interested in conservation and agriculture by offering scholarships. Iowa High School Class of 2025 students pursuing programs of study in any field of conservation or agriculture qualifies for the Conservation Scholarship. While this is a wide field and many studies qualify, preference will be given to students pursuing programs of study in conservation. The scholarship must be used for the student’s first year of college education.
2025 Application & Instructions
Please note that the application form has been changed. Application forms from previous years will not qualify. Follow the instructions on the application closely. Applications filled out incorrectly will not qualify. Pay close attention to deadlines. Applications submitted after set deadlines will not be considered. The 2025 application is available HERE.
Awards
After final selections, the top three scholarships will be awarded at the state level in the amounts of $3000, $2000 and $1000. Winners from the remaining six regions will each receive $500. First, second and third place awards will be paid directly to the applicant’s school of choice in two equal installments, one upon enrollment at the beginning of the year and the second at midterm. The six other scholarships will be paid directly to the students.
Selection Criteria
Scholarship applications are judged based on the following criteria:
- 20 points for Involvement, Leadership and Character
- 20 points for Career
- 30 points for Scholastic Achievement
- 30 points for Conservation Message
Downloads
2025 Conservation Scholarship Rules
Congratulations to the 2024 Scholarship Winners!
1st Place – Lillian Howe, Fremont SWCD, Region 8, $3,000
2nd Place – Olivia Marti, Allamakee SWCD, Region 4, $2,000
3rd Place – Isaac Wilhelm, Clinton SWCD, Region 7, $1,000
Our 2024 Regional Winners – With an award of $500/Scholarship
CDI Region 1 – Jordan Shull, Monona SWCD
CDI Region 2 – Reid Louwagie, Kossuth SWCD
CDI Region 3 – Kaleb Adams, Howard SWCD
CDI Region 5 – Braden Spurr, Cass SWCD
CDI Region 6 – Arianna Chappell, Story SWCD
CDI Region 9 – Briana Steele, Jefferson SWCD
2023 Scholarship Winners
1st Place – Alaina Gebel, Allamakee SWCD, Region 4, $3,000
2nd Place – Amelia Hesse, Page SWCD, Region 8, $2,000
3rd Place – Seth Breeding, Madison SWCD, Region 6, $1,000